In this paper we present the most recent observations of gravitational waves (GWs) by LIGO and Virgo detectors. We also discuss contributions of the recent Nobel prize winner, Sir Roger Penrose to understanding gravitational radiation and black holes (BHs). We make a short introduction to GW phenomenon in general relativity (GR) and we present main sources of detectable GW signals. We describe the laser interferometric detectors that made the first observations of GWs. We briefly discuss the first direct detection of GW signal that originated from a merger of two BHs and the first detection of GW signal form merger of two neutron stars (NSs). Finally we present in more detail the observations of GW signals made during the first half of the most recent observing run of the LIGO and Virgo projects. Finally we present prospects for future GW observations.

This paper comprises the theoretical background for the data analysis of gravitational waves (GWs) from spinning neutron stars in Brans–Dicke (BD) theory. Einstein’s general theory of relativity (GR) predicts only two tensor polarization states, but a generic metric theory of gravity can also possess scalar and vector polarization states. The BD theory attempts to modify the GR by varying gravitational constant G, and it has three polarization states. The first two states are the same as in GR, and the third one is scalar polarization. We derive the response of a laser interferometric detector to the GW signal from a spinning neutron star in BD theory. We obtain a statistic based on the maximum likelihood principle to identify the signal in BD theory in the detector’s noise. This statistic generalizes the well known $\mathcal{F}$-statistic used in the case of GR. We perform Monte Carlo simulations in Gaussian noise to test the detectability of the signal and the accuracy of estimation of its parameters.

We studied synchrotron radiation of a massive charged under visible and hidden sector groups, moving in equatorial plane around spherically symmetric weakly magnetized black hole. As a model of dark matter we choose the one, in which Maxwell field is coupled to the additional U(1)-gauge field envisaging the dark sector, the so-called dark photon model. Magnetization of a black hole also stems from Maxwell-dark photon electrodynamics. One found the radiation power and energy loss of the particle and looked for the imprints of dark matter on those phenomena.